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Author
Topic: TATTOOS AND PIERCINGS (Read 12618 times)

Hey everyone....There's a concern that I've had in my mind for sometime now....I'm a big fan of tattoos and piercings, and I've been dying to get one, but I'm a bit scared of the risks...Is it safe? What are the risks?....should I do it?BTW....I'm having my doctor's app next May 4th to check my Cd4...hope they've increased!See ya

Andres, as long as it's a reputable tattoo parlor, and they use sterile equipment for each person, then there's no worries. I've had 8 tatts since being diagnosed, and have had piercings (nose, eyebrow, and lapel), plus ears and have had no problems. Just follow the instructions for the healing process, and make sure they're on the up-and-up.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

if the tattoo parlor is following protocol ( which they should) using sterile needles, wearing gloves. this are all things to protect BOTH the artist and client from getting anything. so it should not be a problem.

my advice would be for you to talk and get too know a good tattoo artist in your area. I don't think the risk are any greater either if you take the right precautions. remember a tattoo IS an open wound, so make sure you don't get an infection by properly keeping it clean and making sure it's healing properly.

I'm "naked" at the moment ( no tattoos ) , just have my tongue pierced ( re-opened it a couple of times myself ). so it shouldn't be a real problem in my opinion.

Thx everyone for the info....Now I'm really dying for getting a tattoo....I have several in mind, but the first one I want are the words 'Valens, Sapientia, Vis, Tranquilitas', which translate 'healthy, wisdom, strength and tranquility' in latin...I'm still figuring out where to do it, it would be cool across my chest, or somewhere I'd be able read it.

Thanks again for the info and will keep you posted about my results in my next doctos app.

Just curious. I've thought about getting one also. Did those who got tats after diagnosis inform the artist? Is there an obligation to do so? I'm not sure how comfortable I'd be having a homophobic/AIDS fearing artist performing permamemt work on me.

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Complacency is the enemy. Challenge yourself daily for maximum return on investment.

Just curious. I've thought about getting one also. Did those who got tats after diagnosis inform the artist? Is there an obligation to do so? I'm not sure how comfortable I'd be having a homophobic/AIDS fearing artist performing permamemt work on me.

This is an excellent question. Many say we should tell all our medical providers and dentists, and not just so they can watch out for HIV related issues. Should this apply to tattoo and piercing artists as well?

I've never informed the artist who did my tatts, or the ones who did my piercings. They used the correct precautions, so really I saw no need. I went to a reputable parlor, and knew the artist doing the tatts. I believe it's a bit different situation when seeing a doctor or dentist. Of course, this is just my opinion.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

My partner and I just got tatoos. He is on blood thinners and had to stay off them for 2 weeks so he could get the tattoo.Other than that, I dont know of any real problem for an Hiv positive person.True, its got to be a clean and sterile proceedure.

Don't be afraid to question the tattoo artist (or a person doing piercings) about his or her safety precautions. A good artist will be happy to answer your questions. If they don't want to talk about it or don't seem to know much about it, run, don't walk, to another artist.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

This is an excellent question. Many say we should tell all our medical providers and dentists, and not just so they can watch out for HIV related issues. Should this apply to tattoo and piercing artists as well?

If your tattoo artist is taking out your teeth or gall bladder you should probably tell him you have HIV, Teddy.

The time I disclosed I did so because they wanted me to sign a form stating that I didn't have HIV amongst a host of other things. I refused to lie and they promptly gave me my money back (I had already paid when they started up this bullshit.)

Damn! I manage to piss so many people off just for asking questions. I've never had a tat, or seen one performed. Didn't even know there was blood loss involved. But hey, I guess I got my question answered.

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Complacency is the enemy. Challenge yourself daily for maximum return on investment.

But these people that have had or seen people getting tatoos KNOW BETTER !

Grrrr.

I have spoke ,

Carl

Humm funny, in the state of calif. they will still tattoo you even if your HIV + I didn't lie, and I had to sgin some papers stating I was POZ+ if I wanted all 2 of mine, the 3rd one I did myself, it's a cue-ball ( 8 ball) on my left bicept , however in Calif. they take the nesscesary procautions, and every tatoo shop in that state abeids by the law , if they don't the state dept of health will shut them DOWN and yank the license

« Last Edit: April 25, 2011, 08:17:28 PM by denb45 »

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"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

If you are using a reputable artist, they will be using universal precautions, so disclosure of your status is not required. Don't you think that artists know that people can lie and the only way to keep THEM safe is to use the proper procedures. Knowing your status will not cause them to do anything differently. That's why they call them universal precautions, so they work for every customer, every time.

Just like I got teh aids, shooting up smack, it was probably a dirty tattooing needle......

Yeah, I edited my post -- previously we were all discussing professional tattoo parlors that follow guidelines, not tattoos given in a dark hallway at the state maximum security prison. Keeping in mind as well that Karl was the one screaming about HIV disclosure in tattoo parlors, etc.

Yeah, I edited my post -- previously we were all discussing professional tattoo parlors that follow guidelines, not tattoos given in a dark hallway at the state maximum security prison. Keeping in mind as well that Karl was the one screaming about HIV disclosure in tattoo parlors, etc.

Yeah you have to be very careful, I don't think I'd get one here in New Mexico I already have 4 of them

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"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

In Philadelphia a tattoo artist has to take health classes, blood borne pathogen training, how to run a sterilizer, ultra-sonic, do emergency situation training, etc. It's all regulated and licensed and consequently there are a lot of up-and-up tattoo parlors and you see tons of tattoos on people. It's the same in NYC though tattoo parlors weren't legalized until about a decade ago.

In Philadelphia a tattoo artist has to take health classes, blood borne pathogen training, how to run a sterilizer, ultra-sonic, do emergency situation training, etc. It's all regulated and licensed and consequently there are a lot of up-and-up tattoo parlors and you see tons of tattoos on people. It's the same in NYC though tattoo parlors weren't legalized until about a decade ago.

California is the same way however they were legal only 15 yrs ago

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"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

How could any of you NOT think you should NOT tell the artist you have HIV !

I find that to be a bit self centered and a compleat lack of any conscience !

Get real people that is why HIV / AIDS is here !

Because of people that THINK their HIV is THIER business

You all pissed me off !

Carl

Carl, while I'm a big proponent of being out about my hiv status and agree that everyone should tell their medical care providers, there's really no reason to tell a tattoo artist.

They MUST treat each and every client they work on as though they have hiv or hep C or any other blood-borne pathogen. After all, how many people don't even know they have hiv or hep C? How could those people disclose what they don't know?

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

speaking of piercings (i know this has mainly been about tats but the title does mention the other), I'm having a very ow-y moment as I accidentally ripped out one of my nipples rings a little while ago.

The sad thing is it didn't happen during anything nifty like a bar fight or wild sex. When I was cutting down a tree last week, it was so dead that the top half (30ft or so) broke off while I was using the chainsaw and came crashing down, crushing part of the fence. The fence wasn't too badly mangled so today I was out there trying to straighten it out some more. Well as I leaned over the fence, part of the chain link caught the ball on the end semi-circle nipple ring and yanked it right out of my right nipple as I pulled up on the section of fence. It took me a second to even realize what happened. I was like, what the hell just happened?!?! Ow. Hey! Where's my nipple ring? OW! Oh, that's what happened!

There was little bleeding and it wasn't until about 30 minutes later that it really began to hurt. I've put neosporin on it and have held ice on it for the last hour or so. Thankfully it was a straight tear with little bleeding so hopefully it'll heal back up in one piece. Sadly, online resources say it'll take a while (as in a couple of months) to fully heal, and then I will have to have it re-pierced. Ow!

OUCH Mikie I had to take both of mine out about 5 yrs. ago, I just couldn't stand them anymore, your suppose to turn-them on a daily basis, but, lazy me didn't, so they got all crusty, and that was that, I still have the rings tho, same thing happen to hubby to

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"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

Carl & all of you that don't know? I wish I never got both of my tits done, you loose all feeling in the nipples, well @ least I did, now that they have been out for a number of yrs. the feeling has started to come back a little bit, had I known this I would have NEVER done it back in 96, so they aren't for everyone

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"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974

oh not for me! Mine were sensitive both before and after the piercings. with the right person doing the right things, I don't even need to touch myself to get off. Luckily, I had someone that knew what they were doing just the other day.... cause ain't nobody going to be messing with this one nipple for a while. (but that does leave the other one available ) It's still very ouchy ... but sorta in a good way, like when it was first pierced.

but that's just the bandaid. I took a pix without the bandage; but except for some redness and a speck of blood, you can't really tell anything. So I'm really hoping because the wound was so quick, so clean, and started to close up so soon that it's going to heal properly.

Carl & all of you that don't know? I wish I never got both of my tits done, you loose all feeling in the nipples, well @ least I did, now that they have been out for a number of yrs. the feeling has started to come back a little bit, had I known this I would have NEVER done it back in 96, so they aren't for everyone

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I've gotten two tattoos - here in Florida - at least where I went - there is a questionnaire that asks about HIV status.However, I was negative when I had both done -A friend who is positive got his done at the same time lied when responding on the form - which probably occurs more often than not....Thus, another reason for universal precautions.

Definitely look around the tattoo shop - make sure they have proper, working sanitizing equipment, etc.

Also, ask questions about their procedures regarding safety and sanitation - if they are reputable, they won't mind answering.

I just always lean to the safe side . I do not want anyone to be infected by me .

Carl, then we both agree. While I would most likely disclose my hiv status to a tat artist, I would also question them very closely about their safety precautions. I certainly do not want to infect any one else, and I REALLY do not want hep C again. Hep C is the more likely virus that is going to be transmitted by unsafe tattooing practices.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

(a) "Tattooing" means to insert pigment under the surface of the skin of a human being, by pricking with a needle or otherwise, to produce an indelible mark or figure visible through the skin.

(b) "Body piercing" means the creation of an opening in the body of a human being for the purpose of inserting jewelry or other decoration. This includes, but is not limited to, piercing of an ear, lip, tongue, nose, or eyebrow. "Body piercing" does not, for the purpose of this chapter, include piercing an ear with a disposable,single-use stud or solid needle that is applied using a mechanical device to force the needle or stud through the ear.

(c) "Permanent> <cosmetics" means the application of pigments to or under the skin of a human being for the purpose of permanently changing the color or other appearance of the skin. This includes, but is not limited to, permanent eyeliner, eye shadow, or lip color.

(d) "Department" means the State Department of Health Services.

(Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 742, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1998.)

« Last Edit: April 29, 2011, 10:28:50 AM by denb45 »

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"it's so nice to be insane, cause no-one ask you to explain" Helen Reddy cc 1974